Gallagher gets 2nd chance at Daytona ARCA race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Spencer Gallagher was all smiles as he plopped in a chair outside his hauler.

Life was good after he got a second chance at Saturday’s ARCA Series race at Daytona.

“This is classic, (stuff) happens,” he said. “Bring a helmet.”

He needed one a day after his No. 23 Chevrolet was disqualified from the race for using a mechanical lowering device. But he slid into GMS Racing’s second car and was set to race on Saturday.

Gallagher took a ride from Scott Sheldon in the No. 20 Chevrolet. Sheldon, who cut his teeth racing legend cars and late models on the West Coast, was set to make his ARCA debut.

“I’m really bummed he’s not going to be racing,” Gallagher said. “He was very magnanimous about it. He was actually insisting, when I talked to him last night, that I be in the car in his stead to preserve our points for the championship in the coming year.”

ARCA needed a few hours Friday to set the field because five drivers had qualifying times disallowed following failed inspections, plus Gallagher’s DQ. Bobby Gerhart, who has eight ARCA Series victories at Daytona, got into a heated argument with officials over the accuracy and consistency of the series’ pre-qualifying inspections.

Gallagher said he knew resting at his hotel there was trouble when there was “radio silence” from his team on Friday afternoon.